Coping strategies, anxiety and depression related to the COVID-19 pandemic in lung transplant candidates and recipients. Results from a monocenter series

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms in people. We investigated the impact of the pandemic on coping strategies and anxiety and depression in lung transplantation (LT) recipients and patients with end-stage chronic lung disease awaiting LT.

Methods: We retrospectively investigated coping strategies by using the Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations questionnaire and anxiety and depression symptoms by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale in 115 LT candidates and recipients.

Results: Overall, 63 participants (20 women; median age 59 years [interquartile range 52•65]) answered one or both questionnaires (49 LT recipients and 14 LT candidates). The preferred coping strategy was task-focused for 51 (86.4%) participants, with no difference between LT recipients and candidates nor according to the main anamnestic and clinical data. Eleven patients had suspected or proven depression symptoms, and 18 had suspected or proven anxiety symptoms. Coping strategies related to COVID-19 did not differ by presence of anxiety or depression symptoms.

Conclusion: In the current pandemic, healthcare professionals should consider these results to provide relevant psychological help to these fragile populations and promote a systematic and wide multidisciplinary assessment of LT recipients and candidates.

Keywords: Anxiety; COVID-19; Coping strategy; Depression; Lung transplantation.